Champaign man sentenced to probation for beating up man

Sam Lisec, The News-Gazette, Champaign-Urbana, Ill.
·2 min read

Apr. 23—URBANA — A Champaign man was sentenced this month to two years of probation for beating up a man last year who owed him $20 for pizza.

Champaign County Judge Matt Lee handed down the sentence last Wednesday to Travonte D. Hardimon, 22, after he pleaded guilty to aggravated battery in a public place.

In exchange for the guilty plea, the state dismissed a charge that accused him of committing an aggravated robbery while indicating he had a firearm.

A man who knew Hardimon accepted a ride from mutual acquaintances sometime between 10 p.m. and midnight on Oct. 19, Assistant State's Attorney Eileen Keeley said during Hardimon's March arraignment hearing.

But instead of taking the victim to the planned destination, those in the car drove him to the 2400 block of Highview Court in Champaign, where Hardimon and another person were waiting.

The victim later told police that Hardimon was wearing a mask, but the man recognized him because of his voice and "personal knowledge" of him. Hardimon and at least one other man then proceeded to beat the victim.

After the men left the victim, he contacted the police. Police eventually saw Hardimon emerging from a house in the 1200 block of Joane Lane on March 15. When police tried to stop Hardimon, he fled on foot, ignoring requests to stop.

He was pursued through residential backyards until he was found lying on the ground near a fence. Hardimon later told police that the alleged victim owed him $20 for a pizza, Keeley said.

Hardimon was out on pretrial conditions for a separate 2023 case when he was arrested. In that case, he was charged with aggravated domestic battery involving strangling, domestic battery involving bodily harm and aggravated battery to a pregnant or handicapped person.

But the state dismissed those charges after the victim later changed her statements to the State's Attorney's Office from what she told police, Assistant State's Attorney Chris McCallum said.

In addition to probation, Hardimon was ordered to enroll in and complete a Partner Abuse Intervention Program.

Hardimon faced two to five years in prison for aggravated battery in a public place, a Class 3 felony.

He had credit for 32 days already served in jail.